With invasive species threatening water quality throughout the Adirondacks, concerned Lake Luzerne residents gathered recently at the Rockwell Library to formulate an action plan to fully address the challenge with residents throughout the watershed. Our area watershed includes Lake Vanare, Forest Lake, Fourth Lake, Third and Second Lakes in addition to Lake Luzerne. This watershed measures just over 14,000 acres.

The Roundtable discussion included Lake Luzerne Town Councilman Jim Niles, liaison for the Town Board on water quality issues, who is also a volunteer for the water sampling collection program of C-SLAP with the New York State Federation of Lakes. Joining in the event were Rose O’Boyle of the Northwoods Property Owners Association along with colleagues Lauren Scutari and Sharon Herlin, both longtime residents who have been involved in civic affairs. Howard Schaffer, VP of the Lake Luzerne Association, provided key information from the local and state levels which will play a role in the development of the program.

The group is now compiling a town-wide “Watershed Education Protection Packet” boaters can do which will be available to all Lake Luzerne residents by this summer. Topics incorporated into the educational material includes info from the NYS Department of Environmental Protection and Warren County Soil & Water Department. Among the areas covered are a milfoil prevention guide, boat washing tips, erosion prevention, septic testing and the use of DEC-approved water treatments.

The next session of the Watershed Protection Alliance will be held at the Library on Wednesday, June 8 at 6:30 PM. Residents from every lake in the watershed are welcome to attend.